Page 118 of Knot All is Forgiven

But I'm not going to insert myself into their relationship. If they want my input, I'll provide it, but I will keep myself out of it until then.

Nurse West comes in and takes my blood as well as collects my urine sample from the bathroom. She's the same woman I met when I first presented as an Omega, and though she is gruff and abrasive, I like her. She's got gentle hands, and I barely noticed the needle going in to take my blood.

I drift in and out of sleep, a soft purr constant from Cyrus beneath me.

"It's been about six weeks since her heat," I hear Icarus saying at one point when I'm half-conscious. "It was tough last time."

"How so?" Rafe's analytical voice asks from somewhere behind me.

"It was over six days. I barely ate, she was so needy. I wasn't enough for her." My sweet Alpha's voice shakes, and I can feel the sharp shame radiating from him. "I'd get her fed, and then she'd be back begging for my knot. I had to leave her crying and in pain a few times to keep myself from passing out."

"Is that why you asked if any of us were together sexually at the pack party?" Simon asks quietly.

Well, that's news to me. I didn't realize Icarus had broached this topic with them. I wonder what the guys told him?

"Yeah," he admits quietly. "I theorize that her delayed presentation will make her heats more intense and require a higher pheromone exposure than standard. With just a low level of pheromones from me, her body took a long time to absorb enough to satisfy the heat. It was as much of a curiosity about your dynamics as I was seeking the knowledge to better predict what will happen during her next heat."

I didn't realize how bad it was for him. He'd told me it was tough, but he didn't go into detail about it. I know that I'm not toblame for it, not really, but I still feel so much guilt that he was run so ragged.

For the second time today, I am a voyeur of a conversation I wasn't supposed to be a part of.

"Do you think she'll want us to help for the next heat?" Simon asks from somewhere near my feet.

"You, for sure," Cyrus whispers underneath me. "Doubtful for me."

"I can't say for certain," Icarus responds, and I feel the bed shift beside me. "But I will need help, so we'll have to ask her."

Nope. No. Do not ask me.

I cannot answer this question. Not right now.

How do I make myself seem more asleep? I try to make my body heavier, slowing my breathing even more.

"Not anytime soon," Rafe says quietly. "She doesn't need to be stressed out by that right now."

The other Alphas make sounds of agreement, eventually switching to inconsequential discussions about chores and their jobs.

I drift back into a gentle sleep.

What could be minutes or hours later, I jolt awake as Cyrus slides out from underneath me, and Icarus takes his spot.

"Vick," I sigh, snuggling into him and letting the refreshing calm of his eucalyptus and cucumber scent flow through me. "Heard you had a tough day."

"Been better." His voice is rough, but his hands are gentle as he drags them down my arms. "But I'm good. Better than Slime's nose."

"Hey!" the green-haired Alpha yelps, looking up from his phone. "They set it, and it's already half healed. I'm fine." It's only now that I let myself notice the purple under his eyes and the slight swelling on his face. I wrinkle my nose and let out a soft whine at the sight of it, wincing.

Where is the whining coming from? Why is this happening more lately? I clear my throat as if to rid myself of the vulnerable sound.

As if reading my mind, Vick leans down and whispers, "You're basically going through puberty again, Jordan. Your Omega traits may end up all over the place."

"Don't like this one bit," I mutter.

He pulls me tighter against him, humming as he does. "I think it's cute."

"Me too!" Simon pipes up, striding across the room. "Especially because you're worried about me." He places a gentle kiss on my forehead.

Rafe and Cyrus are stretched out on the couch in the room, watching on with soft smiles, and for once, I feel completely at ease.

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